Invitation to Become a Founding Member of EURAMA - European Ayurveda Medical Association

Dear Doctor,
Respected Vaidya,

It is our great joy and honour to invite you to become a founding member of a new doctors` Association, EURAMA – European Ayurveda Medical Association, that will represent and expand Ayurveda in the European Union and beyond.

Why a new Ayurveda Medical Association?
During several presentations and meetings with senior officials and advisors of the EU and national governments in Europe, it was conveyed to us that Ayurveda could become officially accepted by governments and health insurances only through western-trained and licensed doctors. It has been made clear that the political influence of naturopaths, Ayurveda therapists, and other non-academically trained persons may not have the same recognition as medical doctors and their associations do.

Purpose of EURAMA
EURAMA is designed to facilitate the creation of a legal framework for the safe use of Ayurveda in all the countries of Europe. To achieve this goal, EURAMA will give special emphasis to scientific research and to providing standardised higher education and training for medical professionals, in Ayurvedic theory and clinical practice.

EURAMA will be an agent for the expansion of Ayurveda, facilitating thereby the work of Ayurvedic doctors and the utilization of the great wealth of Indian Ayurvedic preparations and food supplements in the European Union.

The proposed activities of EURAMA (to be passed by the Founding Assembly on 26.10.08) will be:
• To bring together Ayurveda doctors and associations across the European borders
• To promote the integration of Ayurveda in the health care systems of European countries
• To work for official recognition and application of Ayurveda as a holistic system of health care, including its diagnostic and therapeutic methods and its pharmacopoeia
• To ensure inclusion of Ayurveda in the frame of “Complementary and Alternative Medicine” (CAM) together with the modern medicine and scientific research, especially in those areas where the modern medicine does not fulfil its promises in terms of safety and effectiveness (i.e. prevention and treatment of chronic diseases)
• To activate all political and scientific means to support and facilitate the regulation and approval of Ayurvedic products in Europe.
• To serve as an information and consultation agency for European Ayurvedic doctors, governments, parliamentarians, and the media.
• To create a legal framework for safe application of Ayurveda

As you must be aware, there is a very strong lobby to influence the governments on the European level and also in almost every European country to change the legal situation and to restrict herbal medicines on the EU market. Therefore, Europe needs a united academic force to support the cause of Ayurveda health care.

It is our firm belief that through these activities, Ayurveda will gain the importance it deserves within the European health care systems. EURAMA invites all great minds – medical doctors licensed in Europe, Vaidyas with BAMS or Dr. Ayu diploma, and scientists – regardless of their education and school of thought within the field of Ayurveda, to participate in this great endeavour.

We would like to request your valuable cooperation in the efforts of EURAMA to achieve for Ayurveda the recognition it deserved and to remove all obstacles that may stand in the way of reaching the whole European population.

Inaugural Assembly on Dhanvantari Day – 26. October 2008 in Vienna, 9.30 am till 4 pm
The inaugural function will include lectures by internationally reputed scientists and doctors in the field of Ayurveda. The keynote address will be held by Prof. Dr. Gerry Bodeker. Other lectures will include topics such as the political and legal situation of Ayurveda in Europe, quality control and patient safety, etc. Political leaders of India and Europe will also address the Assembly.

The actual inauguration ceremony will take place at 2.30 pm – the proper time (Vedic Muhurta) recommended by expert Jyotishis from India.